. >> the president's campaign manager jim mecina called romney a very skilled debater and in an open memo to interested parties, senior advisor david axelroad just as he was in the primaries, we expect mitt romney to be a prepared, disciplined, and aggressive debater. joining me now is someone who knows a thing or two about expectations and debates, republican senator john mccain. a little trip down memory lane there. >> i think both candidates are well prepared, and understandably, you'll see their sur gats lowering expectations. i don't know how our guy will compete, and that's part of the whole routine. >> who is the tougher debater? >> i think both are excellent in their own way. i think you could argue that mitt has had a lot more recent experience, obviously, but also, candy, part of it depends on who is moderating. >> oh, thanks. >> i don't want to put any pressure ow, but the tenor of the questions and all that are dictated. second of all, i think sometimes we expect a major breakthrough, you know, a comment. that doesn't happen very often. it happened with reagan and mondale